Alex Greenwich, the independent member for Sydney, has called for a Special Commission of Inquiry into apartment building defects following the dramatic evacuation of the Opal Tower in Sydney Olympic Park.
Mr Greenwich said:
"NSW has a shameful history of developer influence over politicians with a legacy of laws that favour them over owners and occupiers."
"The dramatic evacuation of the Opal Tower at Sydney Olympic Park on Christmas Eve is only one example of the many homes built with defects that owners are left to fix and it must become an overdue catalyst to strengthen our laws."
"These are people's homes and the public should be able to report their experiences to a special commission of inquiry that fully investigates developers, certifiers, and problematic buildings and reports back to government on gaps in compliance and legislative protections."
Mr Greenwich's inner city electorate of Sydney is made of mostly apartment buildings and he hears regularly from constituents concerned about building defects and long drawn out court battles to get them fixed:
"Owners tell me of paying mortgages on units that they can't live in, lease or sell and of having to raise massive special levies to fix problems or pursue court action."
"According to the most recent Census NSW has 50% of Australia's apartment buildings and it's vital we address the community concerns that the Opal Tower situation has brought to a head.
"I will work with whichever party forms government after the next election to establish a special commission of inquiry into apartment building defects to give residents and investors greater confidence in residential development and ensure people's homes are safe now and into the future."
